Frequently Asked Questions

Find Your New Direction

Have questions about the NOW WHAT® program? I have answers below. Still have questions? Feel free to contact me anytime.

What is the NOW WHAT® program?

The full name of the program is “NOW WHAT®, 90 Days to a New Life Direction.” It was developed by Laura Berman Fortgang, a world-renowned life coach, in 2004 and is outlined in her book of the same name. You may be familiar with her through her many appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Since its introduction in the career coaching world, her program has helped thousands of people make changes in their work to achieve their goals and live a happier and more fulfilling life.

Can’t I just read the book?

Sure you can read the NOW WHAT book by Laura Berman Fortgang or any other self-help book for that matter, but few people are able to take the concepts and put them into action without the help of a coach. Let’s face it, if reading a book was all it took to make you happy, you would have done it by now.

Why do I need a coach?

To put concepts into practice, you need someone who can provide guidance and feedback along the way. You also need accountability. Making big changes in your life isn’t easy. That’s probably why you haven’t made them yet.

However, having someone who is on your team, pushing you further than you’d go on your own and holding you accountable every step of the way greatly increases your chances of success.

How can I determine if coaching is right for me?

Ask yourself if what you’re doing now is working for you. Are you happy? Are you in a job that you enjoy? Are you achieving your potential? Do you feel fulfilled? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, then you know you need to make some changes.

A coach can save you countless hours trying to make those changes on your own. And the faster you get on the right path, the sooner your life situation will improve

What specifically does the program involve?

The NOW WHAT program takes 12 weeks to complete. Each week has a different focus. We’ll meet by phone for approximately one hour during which I’ll ask you a lot of questions that force you to dig deep before answering. We’ll discuss your responses, some of which might even surprise you. At the end of the hour, we’ll discuss what we’ve learned and your homework (yes, there’s homework) for the week.

Be advised, the program is no I-Dream-of-Jeannie solution. Unfortunately, you can’t cross your arms, blink your eyes, and hope to fix everything that’s not right in your life. Instead, we’ll work together to peel back the layers, like an onion, to eventually arrive at your most important beliefs and dreams and then devise a strategy for putting words into action.

How can the success of the program be measured?

Based on the many people I’ve coached in the NOW WHAT program, I can tell you that at the end of the process you’ll probably find you’re a much different person than you were going in.

You’ll have a clear vision for your future and a positive outlook that comes through in all you do. You’ll be moving forward in your career, whether that means seeking a new job, opening your own business, or exploring an entirely different direction. You’ll feel excited about the many possibilities you now see. The program is truly life-changing, in a good way.

Why should I choose you, Steve Borek, as my career coach?

The success of your coaching experience largely depends on the quality of your coach. I believe in the WHAT NOW program and am living proof that it works. In my own case, it helped me to leave a successful 25-year career as a sales consultant in IT, which I hated, to start my own business, which I loved.

I decided to help others make the same journey toward happiness. I went to coach training at Coach University, one of the top accredited coaching schools in the world and eventually became a faculty leader for the school.

I got certified as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Board Certified Coach (BCC), and Coach University Certified Graduate (CUCG), and proudly added those credentials to my B.S. in Accounting and Finance and my MBA in International Business.

Today, I love helping others. With the right coaching and some hard work, you can dramatically change your life for the better. I did. You can too!

Where are you based and does it matter if I don’t live in your area?

I’m based in Syracuse, New York. While I have worked with some clients locally, I have many others who are located around the country and the world. Our coaching sessions can be done by phone and/or by Skype so location is not an issue.

How do I know if I’m a good candidate for coaching?

Ask yourself if these five qualifications apply to you:

I’m not happy in my current work situation.

I feel like I’m not reaching my potential.

I’m open to new ideas and direction from others.

I’m willing to step out of my comfort zone.

I’m committed to doing whatever it takes to reach my goals.

If those descriptions accurately characterize you, coaching could help you achieve the career and lifestyle of your dreams.

I feel hopeless. I’ve felt this way for years. Nothing ever seems to change. Why should I think it will now?

If you’re doing the same thing over and over, you can’t expect different results. To get a different outcome, you need to make changes. But what to change and how isn’t always obvious. That’s where a good coach can help you.

Maybe I should just start sending out resumes. Do I really need coaching for that?

The approach you just described is quite common. I call it the spray-and-pray method. You send out dozens of resumes and pray it results in some job offers. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that strategy almost never works.

What does work is doing some self-discovery and choosing a single, specific direction to achieve your goals. You go after exactly what you want. Instead of spray-and-pray, you focus on one-and-done!

The NOW WHAT program is 12 weeks. What if that’s more of a commitment than I’m willing to make? Do you offer any other options?

Yes, I understand that for some people the time and money commitment is more than they want to do up front, even though it’s the best deal on a per-hour basis.

I offer a 6-week “Becoming Extraordinary” program that gets you started on the right path. By the end of that program, you can either continue on your own or purchase another 6 weeks to complete the full NOW WHAT program.

I also offer single one-hour coaching appointments if you prefer to pay a la carte, but I hesitate to recommend that option because the most significant changes only take place over time and after completing substantial work.

Okay, I’m interested in working with you, Steve. I’m ready to make some changes in my life. What’s the next step?

Let’s chat. I offer one complimentary consulting session so we can get to know each other a bit and you can also hear more about what to expect in the NOW WHAT program. Contact me to schedule your free, no-obligation appointment.